Ladyfest Los Angeles is coming to Downtown Los Angeles.

When: November 8-11, 2002

Where: In the heart of Downtown Los Angeles at the historic Downtown Palace Theatre at 630 South Broadway, between 6th and 7th Streets, and Spring Tower Bank Building at 453 South Spring Street, on the corner of 5th Street.

What: Ladyfest is a movement. Ladyfest Los Angeles has its roots in Olympia, Washington, where a group of women volunteered tremendous amounts of time and energy to produce the original Ladyfest in August 2000. Their goal was to create a community-based event to showcase, celebrate and encourage the artistic, organizational and political work and talents of women. Inspired by the success of the festival, which drew attendees from across the country, the festival organizers encouraged women in other cities to use their blueprint to create Ladyfests in their hometowns. The gathering, which “celebrates & encourages the artistic, organizational & political talents of women,” has traveled farther than anyone expected.

Why: All proceeds from Ladyfest Los Angeles will be donated to the East Los Angeles Women’s Center, a non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Latina social workers to provide the first 24-hour bilingual rape crisis hotline in Southern California. Since its founding, the Center has expanded its services to include HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs, services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and a job-training program.

Ladyfest Los Angeles, will feature over 75 artists drawing an anticipated 4,000 to 5,000 people from all walks of life, from Southern California and beyond. Events will include music, visual & performance art, film, spoken word, and workshops highlighting notable women such as:

Musicians Jenny Toomey, Mia Doi Todd, Sarah Dougher, Bonfire Madigan, Anna Waronker, Call & Response, Phranc and Lysa Flores. Authors Aimee Bender, Francesco Lia Block, spoken word by Exene Cervenka, luminary poet Wanda Coleman. The world premiere of feature film ‘Ophelia Learns to Swim.’ Filmmaker Naomi Uman (Leche) and writer/producer Marti Noxon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel) will sit on a panel. There will be a screening of “You Don’t Know What I Got” (featuring Ani Difranco). As if that weren’t enough, you can also stop by the Soul Food Presentation, drop in for a Health Mini-Conference, or see an art exhibit by Toxic Titties or the Los Angeles premiere of the Sex Workers’ Art Show.



In keeping with the spirit of the original Ladyfest, which donated all proceeds to a local women’s shelter, Ladyfest Los Angeles has forged an alliance with the East Los Angeles Women’s Center, which offers services to survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, including counseling, job training, and HIV/AIDS education as well as many other services. “We’re really excited to be working with the East Los Angeles Women’s Center because, like us, they’re an organization that was started by women to fill a need in the community,” said festival organizer Brooke Olsen.

Tickets

Ladyfest Los Angeles tickets can be purchased online at www.ladyfestlosangeles.org now or cash purchase available at the event. Ladyfest Los Angeles encourages people to PURCHASE TICKETS NOW as capacity sell-out is expected.

Full Day Pass – $ 25 (both venues)

Full Festival Pass – (4 days, 2 venues)

One-Day Bank Pass – (bank, 2 floors)

One-Day Palace Pass – (featured concerts/performances and feature films)

The East Los Angeles Women’s Center

Ladyfest Los Angeles, 2002 will donate all proceeds to the East Los Angeles Women’s Center, a non-profit organization founded in 1974 by Latina social workers to provide the first 24-hour bilingual rape crisis hotline in Southern California. Since founded, the Center has expanded its services to include HIV/AIDS prevention and education programs, services for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and a job-training program. “We’re really excited to be working with the East Los Angeles Women’s Center because, like us, they’re an organization that was started by women to fill a need in the community,” said festival organizer Brooke Olsen.

The Palace Theatre

Built in 1911 as a vaudeville theater, the Downtown Palace Theatre is one of the city’s cultural gems, and has hosted such performers as Houdini, W.C. Fields, Sarah Bernhardt and the Marx Brothers. Food and drink will be available. There is plenty of secure parking.

The Spring Tower Bank Building

Located at the center of Historic Spring Street Financial District, the Spring Tower Bank Building is a National Register Historic Building. It represents the glory days of the early-to-mid-1900s of the area once known as “the Wall Street of the West.” It is just a short walk from the Downtown Palace Theatre.

The Ladies of Ladyfest Los Angeles

Ladyfest Los Angeles is being planned and produced by a wide variety of women who are volunteering their time, services and energy. The goal is to ensure that Ladyfest Los Angeles is not just a one–time success, rather the beginnings of a new Los Angeles tradition. It is their goal to provide a positive arena for entertainment and education alike. Volunteers, from professional women to full-time students, collaborated for over a year to make this event happen, fulfilling part of the originating mission: to celebrate and encourage the talents of women.

For additional information, visit www.ladyfestlosangeles.org or e-mail info@ladyfestlosangeles.org.